http://www.handgunhunt.com/photopost/data/500/IMG_02011.JPG

I want to get some thoughts and reviews on this gun. Its a TC super 14 of an unknown age. Supposedly it has not been shot or has been shot very little. There is a 3030 and 44mag barrel in the deal. I have not seen the gun personally. Some one gave it to my father to hold to see if I wanted to buy it. My dad says it looks like it's in great shape. Owner says the break open is stiff. I have a new TC but have no experience with these older ones.

What was their quality in those days?

Have their parts changed and if I have issues can I find replacements?

What are the thoughts on a value?

The rear sight and wood suggest that it is late 1978 to 1980 vintage. They are excellent guns.
If the gun is difficult to open, it is probably because it has a one piece bolt (locking lug). This can be easily changed to a 2 piece bolt which will ease opening. You can probably get such 2 piece bolts from SSK or Ed's TC's.
Photos suggest it is near-new.
My guess on value is $500+

Ya beat me to it! I was gonna say I'd pay around $500 or maybe a little more depending on the condition of all barrels.

The older guns were hard to open and at serial number range 195xxx they changed the geometry on the trigger spur and the subsequent guns are known as "easy open" models. Frame and furniture worth about 250 - 300 and the barrels 150 - 200 each. If he could get the package for 500 it would be a good deal, IMO.

A few months ago I bought a contender with a 14 inch 30-30 barrel off of gunbrokers. The barrel was ported and it had Williams sights on it. This gun looks like it may be about the same age as mine. I paid $360 total. If you buy the gun and do not want the 44 mag barrel please let me know. I would give you $175 for it.

Talked to my dad. He said he put a light in the barrels and played with the set for a while and it doesn't look like the 44 was ever used and the 3030 looks like if it was shot it was only a handful of time. It's also in original box. The guy wants $540 for set. Probably will be in my collection soon.

That is nice deal. Enjoy.

Great deal!

My dad was able to get the contender to me. What a beautiful gun. It really doesn't look like it has ever been shot. It is, however, impossible to open. I actually had to take it apart to get it to reset and open. I will have to do some work to it or find a specialist before even taking it to the range.

Also, my dad liked it so much he bought it for himself. So it's really not mine.

cool, man. Congrats

GG, there are people on this site that should be able to help you with that.

When you get that problem worked out you will love your contender as I do mine.

Nice looking gun.

I emailed SSK and Bellm and neither make a kit any longer. Any other thoughts?? I may have bought my first display gun..At least it's a pretty gun.

Bummer that this is causing so many problems. I have never handled/worked on an older model, but here are some thoughts. Both barrels and frame have been upgraded it sounds like since this was manufactured. Perhaps the old frame and barrels will work with their modern counterparts? Maybe locking lugs are too long and not disengaging. I would try to a) find someone locally with a contender and spend an hour mixing and matching parts to see if that helped or b) I would find a gunsmith who knows contenders and see if they could look it over and suggest/make changes. B) may require shipping.
Best of luck. Don't let this ruin your interest in contenders. They are a ton of fun.

You should be able to find the two piece locking lugs still as replacement parts for newer barrels so id try that. Though I have an early one that was factory modified and it'll open easy with either lug.... Ill see if I can find out what was changed and how a competent gunsmith should be able to sort it out.

Not as simple as it used to be.... Would have to buy all the parts for an easy open then drill the new hole and put it all together. I thought I saw replacement parts on Bellm's site all sold separately I could do the conversion for myself if I had the parts I'm not sure anyone would want to ship me a gun and in not accredited in any way but I see no reason why you shouldn't be able to find someone who could do the conversion for you. Also did you try both barrels that frame may just not like one of them.

Have you contacted TC factory service. I would try that.